Every year, the UMC releases a list of buildings that are categorised as highly dangerous to live in, dangerous but need repairs after the eviction of residents, and dangerous but need repairs that can be done without eviction

This year, UMC has stated that eight buildings must be demolished urgently while 50 need to be evicted for repairs. At least 250 families stay in the 50 buildings

Also Read: Ulhasnagar residents thrown out three weeks before the rains come

According to the residents, they are running from pillar to post in search of affordable houses. One of the residents, Mangala Chauhan lives with her paralytic husband, son and daughter-in-law at Dwarka Dham Apartment at Ramayan Nagar. It has been categorised in the 50 buildings which have to be evicted for repairs. She said, “I bought this 2BHK flat in 2018 for Rs 30 lakh. But in the past one and half years, everyone started leaving the place. There is no unity among the residents, so whoever can afford to get a flat on rent, left. My son is the only one who earns in the family. We can’t afford even a 1BHK now”

Speaking about the eviction notice, Jamir Lengrekar, additional commissioner of the UMC, said, “Instructions from the UMC are loud and clear. We had a meeting with all the stakeholders to give them an understanding of the situation too. We don’t want a single casualty this monsoon due to building collapses. If residents come to a consensus about structural audit, repairs, etc, UMC can always guide them. But we see complete ignorance on their part"

One of the buildings declared dangerous in Ulhasnagar